I Can Do Hard Things
“i can do hard things” has been my go-to phrase these past few months. this saying randomly popped into my head as i attempted one of my runs in colorado a few months back. the altitude was affecting my attitude and i was feeling discouraged. it was starting to get hot out and running with a baby in the belly is weird. yes, you can run while pregnant as long as you get cleared by your medical professional.
i stopped and considered how i felt. was what i felt dangerous/unhealthy or solely hard. turns out, it was hard. that’s when this saying popped into my head, “i can do hard things.” it is along the lines as my ‘once impossible list.’ i have overcome hard things and i am capable of continuing to do hard things.
i shared this with my husband when i got home and he was all “whoa, who’s the motivational speaker now?!” he has since been telling himself this on his long and hard workouts for his ironman that is coming up august 7.
we are often capable of more than we believe at the moment. our minds are so incredibly powerful, which can be used for good or bad. it depends on how you channel it. i hope this phrase helps you as much as it has me. it serves as a solid reminder that we already have done hard things and we are capable of continuing to do hard things.
this is also on my birthing list of “things to say to me” by my husband and doula. it’s actually making me more excited because i can absolutely do hard things, and so can you.
what hard things have you done in your life that can help make this phrase ring true for you?
Jennifer Haston
July 11, 2016 at 9:14 am
“I can do hard things” good mantra.. Last night was the first time I had trouble sleeping. I have my glucose test today, I am hoping against hope I don’t have gestational diabetes but if I do. I will deal with it. “I can do hard things” going to a Community event to learn more about a local grass roots effort to work together with the community about what we can do to help address the need for more love, less hate. I am SCARED to do this.. but for me, my daughter and my family, it’s time to do something and not just talk about how horrible it all is.
chelsea
July 11, 2016 at 11:20 am
fingers crossed for a passing glucose test jennifer but you are right – if you have it you will deal with it beautifully! absolutely love your other example of going to a community event about addressing the situations in our society right now. so proud of you because it is vital for our world!
chelsea recently posted…I Can Do Hard Things
Lauren @ Oh Hey! I Like That!
July 11, 2016 at 9:27 am
My “I can do hard things” is actually eating healthier. Sure, ti’s way easier to eat fast food all the time, but I can do the “hard thing” of eating better!
chelsea
July 11, 2016 at 11:21 am
excellent ‘hard thing’ to do, lauren! thank you for sharing that. fast food is easier but you are right that eating healthier is doable even if it takes a bit more effort!
Nina @ Hugs and Lattes
July 11, 2016 at 10:31 am
Gosh I needed to hear this! I’ve been so avoiding/lazy getting back into running because it’s been so discouraging being slower/being in more pain/not having the endurance I had in high school and college. But I can do hard things! And I just have to take it 1 day at a time.
Nina @ Hugs and Lattes recently posted…Check Your White Privilege
chelsea
July 11, 2016 at 11:22 am
oh i feel you nina! it can be discouraging at times to think back to where we once were BUT if we flip it – we know we are able to get back to that same point 🙂 you got this! one day at a time indeed
Rachel @ Countdowns and Cupcakes
July 11, 2016 at 10:38 am
I love this so much! I think my “I can do hard things” is going to get back on the eating healthy and early morning exercise train. I know I can do it, but it’s hard and so I talk myself out of it.
chelsea
July 11, 2016 at 11:23 am
this is a great mantra to interrupt yourself when that self tries to talk you out of things – like your early morning exercise routine and eating healthy! you got this, rachel 🙂
Audrey
July 11, 2016 at 2:03 pm
I love this reminder- and I love that you had this conversation mid-way through the hard stuff! I always try to remember when I’m working out that my brain tells me “I can’t” long before my body does. Your attitudes reminds me of that. In India I had to remind myself that, “Yes, this is hard, but you’re going to get through it and it’s going to turn out ok.” I went backpacking in the Appalachian Mountains a few years ago and I told myself I could do it over and over in my head with every step. Haha!
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chelsea
July 11, 2016 at 3:39 pm
such a great point audrey, our brain loves to tell us it’s harder than our bodies are finding it! so glad you have been using the positive self talk to get you through hard times whether it’s international traveling or backpacking through mountains!
Claire
July 12, 2016 at 6:57 am
Chelsea, what a simple yet empowering phrase. I adore this. I also followed the link to the “once impossible list”…what a genius idea. I am going to use this and recommend it to others too.
I agree with ravery re: who’s the motivational speaker now! 🙂
chelsea
July 13, 2016 at 7:28 am
it’s amazing how sometimes the simplest of things can have such a large impact! so glad you also liked the ‘once impossible list’ that has really been a game changer for me, especially when i’m feeling a lack of confidence about trying something new 🙂
Claire
July 18, 2016 at 8:08 am
It’s a super amazing tool/tip/trick to have handy 🙂
Kenzie
July 12, 2016 at 8:05 pm
What a powerful mantra – I really love this post. I think it’s easy to get caught up in life and defeat yourself when you face a big challenge. I’m going to start using this!
chelsea
July 13, 2016 at 7:29 am
yay! so glad this resonated with you, kenzie! it is indeed so easy to get caught up in life and defeating thoughts so i hope this continues to help you!
Elyse
July 14, 2016 at 10:30 am
LOVE THIS! It may have to be my new go-to phrase. During school I started saying, “I will make it through this…day, minute, assignment, adventure” whenever I thought my anxiety was going to just kill me.
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chelsea
July 15, 2016 at 7:21 am
it’s a great and easy go-to phrase, elyse! by all means – use away! glad you also have a saying of making it through this day/hour/minute when anxiety felt/feels crushing. it’s amazing what powerful self talk can do for us!
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Shannon
July 22, 2016 at 5:06 pm
Thank you for writing this! It is SO impactful! I muttered it to myself several times during a particularly long drive home the other day when I blew a tire and had to drive on a donut. I realized that it really helps to turn fear into empowerment (granted there is room for some fear, too, but in this case I was going about 10 miles an hour on side roads, so I wasn’t actually in much danger!).
Like you, I’m 8 months pregnant, so it’s also coming in handy when I tie my shoes. 😉 Can’t wait to use it on D-day! 🙂
Cheers!
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